Azada Paigeer understands the importance of giving someone a helping hand. She is a recipient of a scholarship under the USAID Promote program, which was established to provide training and education opportunities for Afghan women and girls.

Azada was accepted in a master of business administration (MBA) program at GITAM University in Vishakhapatnam, India, where she specializes in international banking and finance. The university is located over a hill and a short drive away from the beach, a peaceful haven for Azada and 10 other Promote scholars enrolled there.

Through the MBA program, Azada traveled to Singapore to learn more about international business and industry. She visited the Singapore Port Authority to understand how a country with limited natural resources can become a global business powerhouse.

With support from the Asia Foundation, many of the 149 Promote scholarship recipients accept internships during the summer break to add value to their classroom education. Some work in Afghanistan, while others go abroad.

Azada secured a coveted internship with Abatera Management Consultants in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At Abatera, Azada works closely with colleagues from different nationalities and has quickly become an important member of her team.

“I'm treated as an equal and a valued member. My workplace exposes me to new learning experiences," Azada said.

In supporting the internship program, the Asia Foundation expects the recipients to serve as strong, independent role models for other Afghan women and to act as positive agents of change. Azada plans to do just that. When she concludes her studies, she said, she intends to develop a startup company that will benefit women in rural Afghanistan.